Collapsible boat

ABSTRACT

DISCLOSED HEREIN IS A COLLAPSIBLE BOAT WHICH INCLUDES A PAIR OF INFLATABLE PONTOONS CARRIED IN SLEEVES. EACH SLEEVE HAS AN UPPER FLEXIBLE PORTION AND A LOWER RIGID SHELL WHICH FORMS A PLANING SURFACE. THE SLEEVES ARE INTERCONNECTED BY A FLEXIBLE WEB, AND ARE MAINTAINED IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION BY A FRAME ASSEMBLY WHICH IS NESTED BETWEEN AND SECURED TO THE PONTOONS. THE FRAME ASSEMBLY INCLUDES A BOW PLATE, FLOORBOARD AND TRANSOM ADAPTED TO CARRY AN OUTBOARD MOTOR. THE BOAT CAN BE DISASSEMBLED AND ARARANGED IN A COMPACT, NARROW GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL PACKAGE WITH THE RIGID SURFACES OF THE SLEEVES FORMING THE OUTER COVERS FOR THE PACKAGE.

Sept. 28, 1971 F, 1' |R'G'ENS 3,608,112

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed May 26, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 /04 Z5 :9a /00 /a III llllmmnumnmunl ATTRNBYS Sept. 28, 1971 F. T. IRGl-:Ns

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT med mayV 2s, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a o N. E v N Sept 23 ,1971 F. T. IRGENs 3,608,112

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed May 26, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 AT TOFZN EVI "United States Patent O 3,608,112 COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Finn T. Irgens, Milwaukeee, Wis., assignor to Outboard Marine Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis. Filed May 26, 1969, Ser. No. 827,851 Int. Cl. B63b 7/08 U.S. Cl. 9-2 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed herein is a collapsible boat which includes a pair of intlatable pontoons carried in sleeves. Each sleeve has an upper flexible portion and a lower rigid shell which forms a planing surface. The sleeves are interconnected by a llexible web, and are maintained in spaced parallel relation by a frame assembly which is nested between and secured to the pontoons. The frame assembly includes a bow plate, iloorboard and transom adapted to carry an outboard motor. The boat can be disassembled and arranged in a compact, narrow generally cylindrical package with the rigid surfaces of the sleeves forming the outer covers for the package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the development and popularity of camping trailers and campers carried by pickup trucks, collapsible inilatable boats have become increasingly desirable because they provide a compact package which is easily stored and transported. Conventional collapsible boats have several limitations in that they do not have a satisfactory planing surface and do not have a sufciently rigid frame to maintain the outboard motor at the desired angle during operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a boat with a pair of inflatable pontoons each provided with rigid planing surfaces which are detachably secured to the pontoons and extend in underlying lrelation to and on both sides of the center-lines of the pontoons. A boat in accordance with the invention can also include a frame assembly which includes a transom capable of supporting outboard motors of up to 25 horsepower or more. The pontoons are part of a pontoon assembly which includes a flexible material or fabric containing two saddle portions which are joined by a web portion. The saddles ride on the upper surfaces of the pontoons. To afford rigid planing surfaces, an arcuate skid or shell is connected to and depends from each saddle portion. The shells, together with the saddles, form sleeves which receive the pontoons. When the pontoons are inflated in the sleeves they are rmly held against axial movement by the tight fit. Curved pockets on the undersurface of the pontoons receive the forward ends of the shells to prevent separation of the shells from the pontoons and entry of water therebetween during boat operation.

The frame assembly includes a foldable floorboard having two rectangular lloorboard portions joined along adjacent longitudinal edges by a flexible hinge, a bow plate and a transom. In use, the oorboard remains above the surface of the water at all times. The web connecting the pontoons prevents entry of water between the pontoons and the lloorboard. Openings in the lower edge of the transom afford drainage of 4water from the cockpit. The bow plate and transom are secured to the iloorboard by hinges and can be disassembled from the iloorboard when the boat is collapsed for storage. The frame assembly nests between the spaced pontoons and is secured to the pontoons by a pair of side rods which extend through elongated loops in the saddles. The side rods ice are anchored at their forward ends to the bow plate and anchored at their rear ends to the transom.

The entire boat can be collapsed into a package which is approximately in length to the length of the shells and iloorboard. The shells can be lused as opposed enclosure members to form a package or sleeve for storing and protecting the pontoons and the components of the frame assembly -when the boat is disassembled.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. l is a side elevational view in fragmentary section with portions removed of the collapsible boat of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the boat shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear end view of the collapsible boat in FIG. l showing the transom.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the boat shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the frame assembly and pontoon assembly in spaced relation.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the boat shown in FIG. 1 in a disassembled condition and arranged in a package.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view along line 7*7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the hinge connection between the transom and lloorboard.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the transom support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION lln the drawings, the figures show a collapsible boat in accordance with the invention which is generally designated 10.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the boat includes a pontoon assembly 12 which includes a pair of inflatable pontoons 14 and 16. Each pontoon has a cylindrical portion 17, a tapered nose portion 18, a valve 19 (FIG. 2) and a fore and aft axis or center line 21 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). The pontoon assembly 12 also includes a pair of planing surfaces, one for each pontoon, in the form of rigid arcuate shells 20 and 22 which have a length approximately equal to the cylindrical portions 17 of each of the pontoons 14 and 16. The shells 20 and 22 can be constructed of fiber glass or any other rigid lightweight material and have a radius generally equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the cylindrical portions 17.

Means are provided for securing the shells to the pontoons. In the disclosed construction, the means is in the form of two flexible saddle portions 28 and 30 (FIG. 5) which each have a length approximately equal to the length of the shells 20 and 22. The means also includes ilange 24 and 26 along the outer margins of the shells, which flanges extend for the approximate length of the cylindrical portions 17. The saddles 28 and 30 are secured to the flanges 24 and 26 -by clamping bars 32 and fasteners 34. The saddles 28 and 30 cooperate with the shells 20 and 22 to form sleeves 36 and 38, which receive the pontoons 14 and 16. The means for securing the shells to the pontoons also includes a pocket 37 (FIGS. 1 and 4) on the undersurface of each of the pontoons. The pockets 37 are formed from flexible bands or strips 39. The strips are secured to the pontoons along the forward and side edges of the strips and are located adjacent the juncture of the cylindrical portions 17 and tapered nose portions 18. The pockets 37 receive the forward ends 41 of the shells 20 and 22 which extend from the flanges 24 and 26a.

To retain the pontoons in space parallel relation as hereinafter described, the pontoon assembly 12 also includes a flexible web 40 Which interconnects the saddle portions 28 and 30. As disclosed, the web is formed from the same piece of material as the sleeves. Alternately, the web can be a separate piece of material which is sewn or otherwise attached to the sleeves.

As shown in FIG. 5, the collapsible boat also includes a frame assembly 42 which includes a floorboard 44 which has first and second floorboard sections 46 and 48. The floorboard sections 46 and 48 are equal in dimension and have a length slightly less than the length of the cylindrical portions 17 of the pontoons.

To reduce the overall size of the collapsed boat, the floorboard sections 46 and 48 are hinged together along the adjacent longitudinal edges by a flexible waterproof strip or hinge 49.

The frame assembly 42 also includes a bow plate 50I which has arcuate portions 52 and 53 which receive the saddles and upper portions of the pontoons 14 and 16. -In addition, the frame assembly 42 includes a transom 54 which arcuate portions 56 and 58. The arcuate portions '52 and S3 of the bow plate and the arcuate portions 56 and 58 of the transom permit nesting and support of the frame assembly 42 between the pontoons 14, 16 to form a cockpit or passenger supporting compartment 59 (FIG. 4). The transom can also include a transom or motor pad 57.

Means are provided for detachably securing the floorboard 44 to the bow plate 50 and for detachably securing the transom 54 to the iioorboard. As disclosed, the forward and rear edges of the oorboard portions y46 and 48 are provided with elongated hinge portions 60 and the lower edge of the transom and bow plate are each provided with hinge portions `62 (FIG. 8). When the hinge portions 60 and 62 are properly aligned, hinge pins 64 can be inserted to secure together the hinge portions 60 and 62. The use of a single hinge pin `64 extending through the hinge portions of both floorboard sections 46 and 48 makes the floorboard rigid and prevents movement of the oorboard sections 46 and 48 about the hinges.

The means for securing the transom 54 to the fioorboard 44 includes a pair of support rods 66 and 68. As best shown in FIG. l0, each support rod 66 and 68 is provided with terminal fingers 70 and outturned threaded rod portions 72 which extend from flanges 73. The means also includes reinforced apertures or grommets 76 and 78 respectively in floorboard sections 46 and 44 which receive the fingers 70. The transom 54 is provided with apertures 80 and 82 which receive the threaded portions 74. Wing nuts 84 compress the transom 54 against the anges 73.

To facilitate drainage of water from the floorboard 44, the transom 54 is provided with apertures 86.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided for detachably securing the frame assembly 42 to the pontoon assembly 14. As disclosed, the means includes elongated loops 90 and 92 secured along their lower edges 94 to the saddle portions 28 and 30. The loops 90 and 92 can be constructed of the same material as the saddles and sewn or otherwise secured to the saddle portions 28 and 30. The means also includes a pair of side rods 100 and 102 Which span the distance between the bow plate and transom. When the boat is assembled, the side rods 100 and 102 are secured to brackets 104 on the bow plate and to brackets 106 on the transom and extend through the loops to secure the frame assembly 42 to the pontoon assembly 12. The web 40 retains the pontoons 14 and 16 against lateral outward movement and prevents water from entering the area between the pontoons and floorboard.

When the boat is disassembled it can be formed into a package as shown in FIG. `6 with the shells 20 and 22 forming the outer surfaces of the package to afford protection to the inflatable pontoons and frame members. The

4 saddles remain connected to the shells 20, 22. When assembling the boat the pontoons 20 and 22 are inserted in the sleeves 36 and 38 and then inflated to provide a snug fit in the sleeves to retain them against axial displacement. The frame assembly is assembled by connecting the bow plate and transom to the fioorboard 44 with the hinge pins 64. The support rods 66 and 68 are then connected by insertion of the fingers 70 into the grommets 76 and 78. The transom is secured to the support rods 66 and 68 with the thumb screws 84. The frame assembly 44 can then be nested lbetween the pontoons with the arcuate portions 52, 53, 56 and 58 riding on the pontoons. The side rods and 102 are inserted in the loops 90 and 92 and secured at each end of the bow plate and transom.

When the boat is in use, the snug fit of the arcuate portions 52 and 53 of the bow plate and the arcuate portions 56 and 58 of the transom with the pontoons 14 and 16 and the web 40 prevents the entry of water into the cockpit '59. The holes 86 in the transom 54 afford drainage of any water that does reach the cockpit 59.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible boat comprising first and second inflatable pontoons each with a fore and aft center line, first and second shells of rigid material, and means for disconnectably securing said shells in underlying relation to and on both sides of said center lines of said pontoons to provide rigid planing surfaces for said pontoons.

2. A boat in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pontoons have a tapered nose portion, a cylindrical portion, and said shells have a length generally the same as said cylindrical portion.

3. A boat in accordance with claim 1, wherein said shells each include forward ends, and said means for securing said shells in underlying relation to said pontoons includes pockets on the undersurface of said pontoons which receive said forward ends of said shells.

4. A boat in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for securing said shells to said pontoons comprises a fiexible saddle for each of said pontoons, and means for connecting said saddles to said shells to form sleeves for receiving said pontoons.

5. A boat in accordance with claim 4, wherein said means for securing said saddles to said shells comprises outturned flanges on said shells and fasteners extending through said saddles and anchored in said flanges.

6. A boat in accordance with claim 4, including a frame assembly and means for connecting said frame assembly to said saddles.

7. A collapsible boat comprising first and second inatable pontoons, first and second sshells, first and second flexible saddles, and means for connecting said saddles to said shells to form sleeves receiving said pontoons with said shells providing rigid planing surfaces under said pontoons, a frame assembly and means for connecting said frame assembly to said saddles including a loop on each of said saddles, rods extending through each of said loops, and means for detachably connecting the ends of said rods to said frame assembly.

8. A collapsible boat comprising first and second inflatable pontoons, first and second shells, first and second flexible saddles, and means for connecting said saddles to said shells to form sleeves receiving said pontoons with said shells providing rigid planing surfaces under said pontoons, a frame assembly comprising a bow plate, a floorboard, a transom, means for detachably connecting said bow plate to said fioorboard, and means for detachably connecting said transom to said oorboard, and means for connecting said frame assembly to said saddles.

9. A collapsible boat in accordance with claim 8, wherein said means for detachably connecting said bow plate to said oorboard comprises hinge portions on adjacent edges of said bo'w plate and said floorboard, and a hinge pin receivable in said hinge portions.

10. A collapsible boat in accordance with claim 8, wherein said means for detachably connecting said transom to said oorboard comprises hinge portions on adjacent edges of said transom and said oorboard, a hinge pin receivable in said hinge portions and a pair of reinforced apertures in said oorboard, a pair of transom rods, apertures in said transom, said transom rods having a terminal nger at one end engageable with said reinforced apertures, and threaded portions on the other ends which are received in said apertures in said transom.

A11. A collapsible boat comprising a pair of inflatable pontoons each having a fore and aft axis, a pair of sleeves which receive said pontoons, each of said sleeves including a lower rigid arcuate portion in underlying relation to said pontoon and extending on both sides of said axis of said pontoons, and an upper exible portion, a frame assembly nestable between said pontoons, and means for detachably securing said frame assembly to said sleeves to maintain said pontoons in a xed parallel relationship.

12. A boat in accordance with claim 11, including a tlexible web interconnecting said sleeves.

13. A collapsible boat comprising an inatable pontoon, a shell of rigid material, means for detachably securing said shell to the undersurface of said pontoon to provide a rigid planing surface extending substantially completely transversely across the bottom of said pontoon, a frame, and means for detachably securing said frame to said pontoon.

14. A collapsible boat comprising a pontoon assembly including rst and second inflatable pontoons, a separate sleeve encircling each of said pontoons, said pontoons being removably received in said sleeves and rmly held against axial displacement iu said sleeves when said pontoons are inflated, and a ilexible web interconnecting said sleeves.

15. A collapsible boat comprising a frame assembly defining a passenger supporting compartment, said frame assembly including a tloorboard having rst and second tloorboard sections, a hinge connecting adjacent edges of said oorboard sections, a bow plate, a transom, means for detachably securing said bow plate to said floorboard, and means for detachably securing said transom to said floorboard, one of said means for detachably securing said bow plate and said transom also preventing relative movement between said oorboard sections about said hinge connecting said floorboard sections.

16. A boat in accordance with claim 15 wherein said hinge includes an axis extending transversely to said bow plate and said transom plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,884,705 10/1932 Huffman 9-11 2,332,009' 10/1943 Perri 9-2 2,949,616 8/1960 Desanges 9-2 3,261,038 7/1966 Klepper 9 2 FOREIGN PATENTS 16,361 1/1913 France 9 2 1,096,550 6/1955 France 9-11 1,285,377 1/1962 France 9-11 1,301,368 7/1962 France 9-2 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner C. A. RUTLEDGE, Assistant Examiner 

